ICC World Cup: India look to continue unbeaten run against Windies

India take on the West Indies at the WACA, Perth, on Friday 6th March where they will be searching for another win to cement a place in the next round of the ICC World Cup.

The Windies have been inconsistent after the surprise defeat to Ireland and their demolishing at the hands of South Africa and, specifically, A B De Villiers. Currently sitting third in Pool B, theY will hope to find their form to go through to the quarter-finals and are 15/8 with Coral to beat India on Friday.

India have been one of the form teams in the competition. The vast majority of their squad have been in Australia for several months competing in a Test series and Tri-Nations ODI competition.

Virat Kohli has been influential in reviving Indian fortunes. The 26-year-old batsman has been in scintillating form over the last six months and has continued to impress at the World Cup.

Having scored a magnificent 107 during India’s opening match against bitter rivals Pakistan, Kohli has followed up with 46 and 33 against South Africa and the UAE respectively. Coral have India’s test captain at 11/4 to top score against the West Indies in Perth.

Chris Gyale remains the Windies’ star performer, who can turn a match on its head in a matter of minutes, He had received a lot of stick from supporters and, as an unfortunate retweet confirmed, some of the West Indian board for his poor recent form before the match against Zimbabwe.

Jamaica-born Gayle answered his critics in blistering style smashing the first double century in Cricket World Cup history, and only the fourth in all ODI cricket.

Equalling the record of 16 sixes, Gayle went from 100 from a steady 105 balls to plundering 215 off 147. Despite a failure against South Africa, Gayle is 11/4 to continue his destructive form against an Indian bowling roster he will know well from his IPL experience.

A major factor which could influence the match is the WACA pitch. Notably quicker and with more bounce than any other in Australia, Perth can be a nightmare for batsmen.

Both the West Indies and India have bowlers that can utilise the extra pace they will receive. Jerome Taylor bowled beautifully against Pakistan and tore through their top order batsmen to reduce them to 1-4 and then 25-5.

Taylor is backed up by Kemar Roach and captain Jason Holder, who will both enjoy the prospect of bowling at the WACA.

However, India have pace in their ranks with Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. Both have the ability to bowl 90 mph, which is all the more impressive considering India’s historical lack of pace bowling.

Having neutered the considerable strike power of South Africa and bowling the UAE out for a humbling 102, India are clearly in a rich vein of form with Yadav 3/1 to be the best bowler.

Both teams will be looking to stamp their authority and send a clear message to other nations. India’s One Day captain M S Dhoni will be wanting a clinical performance from his men and are favourites at 2/5 to do just that.